COLUMBUS: There's something about traveling to Northwestern that seems to summon problems for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

A year ago, the Buckeyes were ranked 10th and the Wildcats were headed for a losing record in the Big Ten. Yet it took Jared Sullinger's banked-in turnaround with 3.1 seconds left for Ohio State to escape with a 75-73 win.

In 2011, the Buckeyes were 22-0 and No. 1 in the nation while Northwestern was just 3-6 in the conference. This time, David Lighty made a late steal and Sullinger hit a foul shot in a 58-57 white-knuckler.

"The last two times it really came down to the last minute," Ohio State forward Sam Thompson said on Wednesday.

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller will be featured on the cover of the March 4 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Proving college football's dominance, Sports Illustrated is is featuring spring practice over March Madness in college basketball.

MIller is the fourth Ohio State quarterback to land on the cover. Troy Smith was on the cover in 2006, Craig Krenzel made three covers in 2003 and Art Schlicter was the first in 1979. It's the 15th time Ohio State's football team has been on the cover of S.I.

Assuming there is no S.I. cover jinx, this should officially kick off Miller's Heisman Trophy campaign. In 2012, Miller threw for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns with 1,271 yards rushing and 13 more scores.

Following a 71-49 blowout loss to Wisconsin on Sunday, Ohio State's basketball dropped in the Associated Press poll from 13th to 18th.

The Buckeyes (18-7) have lost three out of their last four games and host Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Big Ten has three teams in the top 10 – Indiana (No. 1), Michigan State (No. 4) and Michigan (No. 7). Ohio State is one spot ahead of Wisconsin, which rose from 20 to 19. Minnesota is just outside the top 25.

In this week's poll, no team dropped more spots than Ohio State. The Buckeyes continue to struggle finding a scorer beyond forward Deshuan Thomas. He had 18 of Ohio State's 49 points on Sunday and fellow forward Sam Thompson was the next closet scorer with 10 points.

The Buckeyes have heard enough about the losses last week in overtime at No. 3 Michigan and at home on Sunday to top-ranked Indiana.

After taking a day or two to digest those setbacks, they're looking forward to their next outing against the Wildcats (13-11, 4-7 Big Ten) at Value City Arena.

The timing couldn't be better for the Buckeyes (17-6, 7-4), who are hungry for a win. After all they haven't lost in Columbus to the Wildcats since Feb. 24, 1977, an 83-72 defeat — a string of 28 consecutive wins at home.

In addition to his role as cornerbacks coach, Ohio State has named Kerry Coombs the team's special teams coordinator.

The team didn't have a special teams coordinator last season and the role was filled by head coach Urban Meyer.

Coombs was the special teams coordinator at the University of Cincinnati from 2009 till 2011.

"I am incredibly excited and honored to be given the responsibility of special teams coordinator," Coombs said in a release. "The special teams have always been a part of the game that I have enjoyed coaching. These plays are so critical to the success of a team, and they can really swing momentum. I look forward to having an increased role in the development of them."

Enrolled into Ohio State in January, is a five-star prospect (ESPN 150) who is rated as high as the No. 11 prospect nationally on the ESPN 150 . the No. 1 prospect in New Jersey and No. 6 cornerback prospect (247Sports) . he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after helping his HS team to a 7-4 record in 2012 and to a regional semifinals berth . had 17 pass break-ups, two interceptions, 45 tackles, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick in 2012, plus 39 receptions for 770 yards and four TDs on offense . the son of Annie and Tim Apple, Eli recently changed his last name from Woodard to Apple to honor Tim, his father since age 2.

J.T. Barrett, QB, 6-1, 225, Wichita Falls, Texas (Rider HS)

John Thomas Barrett is considered one of the nation's premier dual threat quarterbacks, although his senior season came to an early end with a knee injury in the fifth game . rated as the No. 11 prospect in talent-rich Texas (247Sports) and a consensus four-star cornerback (ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 247Sports) . a top 150 player by both Scout and 247Sports and on the ESPN 300 . enrolled at Ohio State in January and is recovering from his 2012 knee surgery and taking part in winter conditioning drills, except for running . coaches expect him to be throwing this spring but aren't concerned that he won't be running until later . he rushed for 569 yards with seven TDs and passed for 784 yards and five scores as a senior prior to the injury . he rushed for over 1,500 yards with nine TDs and passed for over 1,600 yards and 14 TDs as a junior.

COLUMBUS: Two minutes before Rossville, Ga., defensive back Vonn Bell stepped before the cameras on Wednesday morning to declare where he would go to school, he dialed Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's cell phone.

Too anxious to sit still, Meyer had gotten on a treadmill to burn off his pent-up energy.

Bell's commitment to the Buckeyes was the crowning piece to a strong recruiting class for Meyer, who was hamstrung a year ago in his first year at Ohio State because he wasn't hired until late November. He termed last year's recruiting, which netted several freshmen who made solid contributions to a stunning 12-0 season, as "a bunch of cowboys out there trying to find players."

Most major recruiting experts and publications rate the Buckeyes in the top five in the nation — some even have them No. 1. So, given a full year to work at it, Meyer and his staff had a huge day.

Ohio State closed its 2013 football recruiting class strong, finally getting a commitment from Missouri running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Elliott announced at a 5 p.m. press conference he was picking Ohio State over Missouri and faxed his national letter of intent shortly thereafter.

"The atmosphere of Columbus, Ohio," Elliott said about why he chose OSU. "Everyone in Ohio loves football. I'm ready to do great things with Urban Meyer."

After Elliott's commitment, Meyer told the media he was never worried about the running back flipping his commitment to Missouri.

For John Burroughs High School, Elliott amassed 3,061 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged 10.6 yards per carry and ran for 2,155 yards. He had 383 receiving yarda and 523 return yards.

Reporters covering National Signing Day at Ohio State spotted the school's clever football schedule inside the team's meeting room.

Of course it notes the season opener against Buffalo and a notable road game on Sept. 14 against California. The school's logos add some graphical flare. But in the Nov. 30 regular season finale slot it merely says "That team up North," and has no school logo.

The schedule also makes sure to point out the dates of the Big Ten Championship game and the dates of the Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship game, for all players to see.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is holding his National Signing Day press conference. The school's live feed doesn't seem to be working properly, so how about some tweets from those in attendance? Refresh for the latest.

Bright House Sports and the Orlando Sentinel have both reported throughout the day that Florida punter Johnny Townsend will change his commitment from Ohio State to Alabama today.

Ohio State currently has 23 commitments in and are waiting on just Townsend and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Townsend is set to announce his decision at a 4 p.m. press conference. Elliott is announcing at 5 p.m.

If Ohio State loses out on Townsend, Drew Basil is expected to handle both kicking and punting.

The school is waiting to send out a release with its new recruits until they officially hear from Townsend and Elliott.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is on 97.1 the Fan right now. Here are some notable quotes (keep updating the page to see the latest at the bottom):

(While this is going on, the talk online right now is that punter/kicker recruit Johnny Townsend is flipping from Ohio State to Alabama. This is what National Signing Day has sunk to. Ohio State Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni notes on Twitter that the letter of intent from safety Von Bell has arrived.)

When running back/athlete Dontre Wilson committed to Ohio State earlier in the week, it looked like he may have been Ohio State's last commitment for this recruiting class.

Now on National Signing Day, Urban Meyer has pulled in more highly recruited players.

The Buckeyes today pulled in safety Von Bell and wide receiver James Clark. While national championships can't be won in February, the additions of Bell and Clark will give Ohio State one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.

Bell was rated by most recruiting services as the second-best safety prospect in the nation. The five-star player chose Ohio State over Tennessee.

Clark is rated as the country's 32nd best wide receiver, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

The 2013 recruit originally committed to Oregon in May. But after the Ducks' Chip Kelly was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles, Wilson reopened his commitment.

Heading into Wilson's announcement Monday night, most recruiting analysts believed he would commit to OSU. But a late visit to the University of Texas left some in doubt.

Wilson is the second running back in head coach Urban Meyer's class this year, along with Ezekiel Elliott. Wilson, who is 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, is rated by most recruiting services as a four-star prospect. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he's the nation's No. 107 overall prospect the 14th best player in Texas.

Moore ran for 1,895 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior, and also had 37 receptions for 750 yards and five more scores.

The 10th-ranked Buckeyes face a daunting week when they travel to play No. 3 Michigan on Tuesday night and then host top-ranked Indiana on Sunday.

Even players who continually say they're only worried about the next game are aware of the upcoming task.

Ohio State's leading scorer, Deshaun Thomas, welcomes the defensive challenges he'll face. Point guard Aaron Craft likes where the Buckeyes are, tied for second in the Big Ten, but acknowledges what the Buckeyes are up against over a five-day span.

Following Corey Smiths commitment to Ohio State earlier in the week, the Buckeyes' 2013 recruiting class is just about full. Leading up to next Wednesday's National Signing Day, the class Ohio State is putting together is among the best in the nation. But the class may not be quite complete.

Much like Ohio State can pull a scholarship offer, a player can change his commitment. Running back Ezekiel Elliott committed to OSU in April, but is now planning a visit to Missouri. He is considered the best player in Missouri, and his parents are alumni. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Elliott will make his decision on signing day.